The sound is clean and dynamic: a proper reflection of the sharp interplay between the young pianists . . . They truly strike sparks off each other -- listen to those exuberant glissandi at the end of "La Valse" -- but there's plenty of sensitivity and quiet playing too. They seem to have sought out the "tunefulness" in the piano reduction . . . "Scandale" is a really enjoyable and magnetic programme . . .

. . . enjoy these dance pieces at face value, the performances and recording of which are terrific . . . the sections of motoric rhythm in [Stravinsky's] two-piano version of "The Rite" seem made for the percussive character of the instrument, while some of the slower passages reveal more so than in their original garb the challenging harmonic language that so provoked the first audiences . . . ["The Kalender Prince"] provides lyrical contrast before "La valse", deftly, brilliantly executed, the final pages [dogged and relentless] . . . The final Piece is the world premier of Tristano's "A Soft Shell Groove" which, with its foot-tapping (literally) rhythm, is bound to find many friends among listeners and other two-piano teams.

. . . a fine program . . . Stravinsky's condensation of the vast orchestra canvas of "Le Sacre du printemps" is especially nifty, and the duo shifts gears effectively between Stravinsky and the much more sentimental world of Rimsky-Korsakov's "Scheherazade". All the music is rooted in dance, but the contrasts among the four works are enormous. The concluding "La Valse" is as dark a vision of a doomed decadent society as one might wish, with waltz tunes threading their way through growing cacophony as intricately as in the orchestral version. Here and in the Stravinsky, the performers are not afraid to give the music percussive shock by banging on the keys when called for. Well worth the time of duo piano fans.

Record Review /
James Manheim,
AllMusic (Blog) / 07. October 2014

. . . [Ott and Tristano] are more than fine, and their reading is shot through with the verve and enthusiasm of youth . . . Credit where credit is due -- the delineation of strata is well done throughout, aided by the phenomenal recording . . . The Rimsky-Korsakov is performed in the composer's own version, and spins its narration hypnotically . . . the Ravel is nearly as good, with excellent articulation from both players.

Watch a music video for Alice Sara Ott's and Francesco Tristano's new album "Scandale", to be released on Deutsche Grammophon.

Fascinated from the idea of Ballets Russes their challenging programme for two pianos centers upon Stravinsky's extremely rhythmic and avant-garde score of "The rite of spring", the crowning success de scandale of Ballets Russes and includes the catchy tune of Rimsky-Korsakov's "Scheherazade".

The album features an exciting new composition by Francesco Tristano himself "A soft shell groove", which has never been recorded before.

Alice Sara Ott and Francesco Tristano perform Maurice Ravel's "La valse" from their new album "Scandale":

Francesco Tristano performs his own composition "Ground Bass (Chaconne)" - for the new album "Scandale" he wrote the track "A soft shell groove":

Alice Sara Ott and Francesco Tristano speak about their new album "Scandale":

Alice Sara Ott and Francesco Tristano speak about their new album "Scandale":

Alice Sara Ott and Francesco Tristano speak about their new album "Scandale":

Video

Watch a music video for Alice Sara Ott's and Francesco Tristano's new album "Scandale", to be released on Deutsche Grammophon.

Fascinated from the idea of Ballets Russes their challenging programme for two pianos centers upon Stravinsky's extremely rhythmic and avant-garde score of "The rite of spring", the crowning success de scandale of Ballets Russes and includes the catchy tune of Rimsky-Korsakov's "Scheherazade".

The album features an exciting new composition by Francesco Tristano himself "A soft shell groove", which has never been recorded before.